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Blessed be Hashem Abundant peace to the honor of my beloved son, the friend of my soul,

cleaved to the walls of my heart — he who is the veteran, outstanding, and beloved scholar — our Teacher the Rabbi Yitzchok, may he live. Thank G-d, I arrived home in peace on Tuesday evening — and blessed

be Hashem, all is in order from Hashem. And now, my son, the delight of my eyes: Look carefully at your purpose — and hold fast to the Torah of Hashem, and be constant and unwavering in your learning. And set a fixed shiur (session) for hisbodidus (personal prayer and seclusion) each and every day — to pour out your speech before Hashem Yisborach and to implore Him with much mercy and supplication that He draw you close to His service in truth. And study and examine carefully in the books of our Master, of blessed memory — until you are fluent in them by heart — and remember well all the things you heard from me in my home. And if you hearken to the old, you will hear the new — for you will merit to hear from me yet many more such life-giving teachings. And then it will be good for you in this world and in the World to Come. For there is no more precious time for engaging in Torah and prayer than now — for youth is a crown of roses [Shabbos 152a]. And if not now, when? For our days are like a passing shadow. And time moves on and rushes. And nothing will remain for you except what you snatch now, each day — Torah and prayer and good deeds — and apart from this everything is vanity. And more than this there is no need to elaborate — for you have already heard more than is written here from me directly. And besides, all of it is already explained in the books of our Master, of blessed memory. Turn them over and turn them over — and from them do not stir [cf. Avos 5:22] — and so forth. And the essential thing is that these matters should be in your eyes each and every day as if they were new. And begin each time fresh from the beginning. And do not fall in your mind, G-d forbid, on account of anything in the world — rather, in every single hour see yourself as a truly new creation. Then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely. The words of your father, who cautions you for your eternal good,

and who awaits your reply — and may Hashem Yisborach complete the sealing for a good, long life and for peace. The lowly Nussun, son of our Teacher the Rabbi Naftali Hirtz — may his light shine and radiate —

of Breslov.